Grape plant named &#39;Tawny Seedless&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of grapevine ( Vitis vinifera ) plant named ‘Tawny Seedless,’ characterized by its strong plant growth vigor, high fertility, high resistance to rain, exceptional post-harvest shelf life, low requirement for labor, large fruit size with round shape, firm fruit with good flavor. This combination results in a higher quality fruit with a later availability than other varieties.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family —Vitaceae

Genus —Vitis

Species —vinifera

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new grape plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Tawny Seedless.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Vitis vinifera (grapevine) variety, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Tawny Seedless.’ The new variety ‘Tawny Seedless’ shows distinctive traits such as high productivity, good flavor, prolonged post-harvest shelf life and robust resistance to rain.

The new variety ‘Tawny Seedless’ is the result of a grapevine breeding program that was commenced in the summer of 2002 in South Africa. The female (seed) parent ‘Red Globe’ and male (pollen) parent ‘Flame Seedless’ were crossed with the hope that they would contribute to desired characteristics of a new variety better than existing red and black seedless varieties. The seedlings from the cross were obtained and ‘Tawny Seedless’ was selected as a promising early ripening red seedless variety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many favorable characteristics of the new variety have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Tawny Seedless’ as a new and distinct variety of Vitis vinifera, among which the following are considered the most favorable:

-   -   1. The variety is extremely labor friendly, needing very little         manual work on the clusters.     -   2. The variety is highly fertile and fruitful.     -   3. The variety has natural large berries which require low         concentrations of gibberellic acid to enhance berry size.     -   4. The variety colors well and needs very low concentrations of         Ethepon to enhance color development.     -   5. The variety produces berries that are very crispy.     -   6. The variety has an exceptional shelf-life for a seedless         variety.     -   7. The variety is highly resistant to rain.

Plants of the new variety have maintained the distinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexual propagation.

The new variety ‘Tawny Seedless’ originated from a hand pollinated crossing between the female (seed) parent ‘Red Globe’ (Vitis vinifera) and the male (pollen) parent ‘Flame Seedless’ (Vitis vinifera) in September 2002 in Mokopane District, Limpopo, South Africa.

The female parent ‘Red Globe’ is a multiple cross of, among others, grapevine varieties known as ‘Red Emperor,’ ‘Hunisa’ and ‘Nocera.’ The male parent ‘Flame Seedless’ is a multiple cross of, among others, grapevine varieties known as ‘Cardinal,’ ‘Sultanina,’ ‘Malaga’ and ‘Muscat d'Alexandria.’

Seeds produced by this controlled hybridization were germinated in a hothouse on a farm in Mokopane District, Limpopo, South Africa. From the seedlings produced from the seeds, seedling L2004/01 was selected for its excellent plant characteristics and was given the cultivar denomination ‘Tawny Seedless.’ Grapes from this selection were evaluated for its viticultural characteristics, as well as post-harvest storage and market acceptance. Particularly, selection criteria include seedlessness, fertility, labor requirement, berry size, color development, taste profile and crispiness, ability to withstand rain at harvest time, shelf-life and expected market response and acceptance.

Three generations of ‘Tawny seedless’ were propagated asexually. During August 2004, the original selection was propagated asexually from hardwood cuttings on own root on the above noted location. Twenty plants were established. These plants were monitored and no mutations were observed. During August 2009, a second propagation was performed and 200 plants were established in a commercial vineyard. During 2013, the third propagation was performed in a commercial vineyard.

All the plants propagated asexually from the original ‘Tawny Seedless’ selection are genetically stable, producing red seedless berries with a white, crispy flesh and white juice. Particularly, the berries have a neutral yet sweet taste. The skin of the berries is red and tough but does not affect eating quality negatively. It dissolves with the flesh. The vines show a high fertility and often produce two clusters per shoot. The clusters are large, rather straggly and resemble the clusters of ‘Red Globe’ after set until about 10 mm berry size. The vines are very vigorous, stronger than ‘Flame Seedless.’ Canes are greyish in color and show a distinctive grooving. The shoots produce fairly strong tendrils and the leaves are not similar to ‘Flame Seedless.’ It shows no rose coloring of the nerves at the petiolar sinus. The berries have a round shape with a natural average diameter of 18 mm. Bunches are straggly and seldom require thinning. With a low concentration of gibberrelic acid sizing, the berries can reach an average size of 23 mm in diameter. The berries color well and the use of coloring enhancers like Ethepon is optional. The berries are highly resistant to rain and can hang well on the vine. Optimal eating quality is reached at a minimum sugar level of 16° B. In commercial vineyards with a normal spray programme, no fungal disease problems are observed.

The clusters and berries of ‘Tawny Seedless’ resemble those of ‘Red Globe.’ ‘Tawny Seedless’ is more fertile than both its parents and is similar in vigour or stronger than the most vigorous varieties such as ‘Autumn Royal’ or ‘Crimson Seedless.’ Too much vigour can be a problem on fertile soils with vigorous rootstocks like ‘Ramsey.’ The berries of ‘Tawny Seedless’ are larger and more even in size than ‘Flame Seedless,’ but smaller than ‘Red Globe.’ The berries of ‘Tawny Seedless’ show a much higher resistance to cracking after rain than ‘Flame Seedless.’ During the packing process both ‘Red Globe’ and ‘Flame Seedless’ exhibit tendencies to micro-crack resulting in waste berries and rotten bunches. ‘Tawny Seedless’ does not have this problem and thus have an outstanding post-harvest shelf life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Tawny Seedless.’ The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing the front view of a ‘Tawny Seedless’ leaf.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the rear view of a ‘Tawny Seedless’ leaf.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing trunk, canes, leaves and fruit of a ‘Tawny Seedless’ plant.

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing multiple fruit clusters of ‘Tawny Seedless.’

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing the green fruit of ‘Tawny Seedless.’

FIG. 6 is a photograph showing a close up of a typical fruit cluster of ‘Tawny Seedless.’

FIG. 7 is a photograph showing the shape and diameter measurement of the fruit of ‘Tawny Seedless.’

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new grape.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Tawny Seedless.’ The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 9 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Mokopane District, Limpopo, South Africa. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Mokopane District, Limpopo, South Africa. Color designations are from the Pantone® Matching System (PMS) color guide.

-   Classification: a. Family—Vitaceae b. Genus—Vitisc.     Species—viniferad. Common Name—grapevine     -   -   Parentage.—Female Parent— ‘Red Globe.’ Male Parent— ‘Flame             Seedless’.         -   Market class.—Table grapes for human consumption. -   Vine:     -   -   General.—Size— 3 m×1, 6 m spacing on a double gable             trellising system. Vigor— Very Strong Productivity— High.             Hardiness— Excellent Rootstock— Ramsey. -   Tendrils:     -   -   General.—Number— the discontinuous 2-0-2 configuration             (Two-Zero-Two), typical of Vitis vinefera Length— 25 cm             Diameter— 2-4 mm at the base Texture— Smooth Color— Green             (PMS 376). -   Woody shoot:     -   -   Trunk.—Trunk circumference— 10 cm at 0.5 meter height Shape—             Round Surface texture— Rough Outer bark color— Brown Grey             PMS 465.         -   Canes.—Shape of canes in cross section— Elliptical/Oval             Internode length— 10-12 cm. Width at node— 1 cm Surface—             Grooved Main color— Medium brown (PMS 143) Fall color—             Medium brown (PMS 143) Lenticels— Rare Erect hairs on nodes—             Absent Erect hairs on internodes— Absent Growth of auxiliary             shoots— Yes Shape of nodes in cross section— Oval/Elliptical             Number— 30 per vines Length— 1.2 m Diameter— 10-12 mm             Internode length— 10-12 cm Color— Medium Brown (PMS 143).         -   Buds.—Date of bud break— 15 August Average number of buds on             a mature cane— 40 Position of buds— Spurs Shape— Large, dome             shaped and ovoid Length— 12 mm Width— 7 mm Color— Green             (PMS 376) Texture— Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Average leaf length— 16 cm for mature leave             Average leaf width— 16 cm Shape— Cuneiform or shield shaped             (Pentagonal) Anthocyanin coloration of main veins on lower             leaf surface— none Mature leaf profile— flat Blistering             surface of blade upper surface— smooth/weak Leaf blade tip—             large, pointed and angular Margins— convex toothed Apex—             angular Base— typical lyre Thickness (of leaf)— 0.5 mm             Undulation of blade between main and lateral veins— mild             undulation Shape of teeth— convex (BB) Length of teeth—             5 mm. (Medium) Ratio length/width of teeth— 1:1 (Medium)             General shape of petiole sinus— typical lyre Tooth at             petiole sinus— sharp (RR). Petiole sinus limited by veins—             absent. Shape of upper lateral sinus— deep, cartel folding             over Prostrate hairs between veins on lower surface of             blade— absent Erect hairs between veins on lower surface of             blade— absent Prostrate hairs on main veins on lower surface             of blade— absent.         -   Upper surface.—Summer color— Dark green PMS 364 Autumn             color— Yellow PMS 395 Surface texture— Smooth to slightly             uneven Surface appearance— Smooth to slightly uneven             Goffering of blade— Light to not-distinctive.         -   Lower surface.—Summer color— Green PMS 377 Autumn color—             Yellow PMS394 Anthocyanin coloration of main veins on lower             leaf surface— absent Glossiness— none Pubescence— absent to             very sparse Surface texture— Smooth to slightly uneven             Surface appearance— smooth to slightly uneven.         -   Petiole.—Length of petiole— 10-12 cm Diameter— 3 mm Fall             color— SP Length of petiole compared to middle vein—             approximately 1:1 ratio Density of prostrate hairs on             petiole— absent Density of erect hairs on petiole— absent             Shape of base of petiole sinus— typical lyre. -   Flowers:     -   -   General.—Date first bloom— September 11 Date full bloom—             September 18 Date last bloom— September 25 Flower sex—             hermaphrodite (perfect flower) Position of first flowering             nodes— 4.8 Number of inflorescences per shoot— 1.8 Pedicel             length— 2-3 mm Calyptra color— Green (PMS 363) Ovary length—             1-1.5 mm Ovary width— 1-1.5 mm Ovary color— Green (PMS 363)             Filament length— 1.4 mm Filament color— light green Anther             length— 0.6 mm Anther color— Yellowish green (PMS 365)             Stamen color— Greenish yellow (PMS 367) Stamen number— 5             Pistil number— one, consisting of 5 carpels Pistil length—             1.8 mm Pistil color— green Petal color— green Sepal Number—             5 Sepal color— Green (PMS 363) Pollen color— Yellow green             (PMS 372) Individual flower dimensions— 2.5 mm Length and 2             mm Width Number of flowers per cluster— average 248 Flower             fragrance— neutral Cluster shape— large and straggly Mature             cluster length— 29 cm Mature cluster width— 27 cm Mature             cluster weight— 1302 g. -   Fruit:     -   -   General.—Date ripe— in Southern Hemisphere: Late November to             beginning January (in an early production area) Berry             weight— 4.95 gm Berry diameter at equator— 2.0 cm Berry             diameter at base— 0.3 cm Berry diameter at apex— 0.0 cm             (round berry) Berry length— 2.2 cm Berry shape— globose to             round elliptic Berry color— red (PMS 505) Berry flesh color—             translucent white (PMS 5005) Skin thickness— 0.2 mm Total             acids— 6,5 g/l Berries/cluster— 300 plus Cluster/vine— 48             for a 3 m×1.8 m vine spacing Cluster/shoot— 1.8 Brush             length— 0.4-0.5 cm. Average peduncle length— 5-6 cm Pedicel             length— 7-10 mm Pedicel diameter— 2.5 mm Pedicel color—             Green (PMS 363) Pedicel texture— rough due to lenticels             Pedicel lenticels— many Pedicel arrangement— 2-3 in grouping             Ease of detachment from pedicel— not easy Sugar content of             must— 16-18° B Acid content of must— 6.5 g/l Juiciness of             flesh— Juicy Firmness of flesh— very firm Flavor— Neutral             but sweet Eating quality— good Shipping and handling             qualities— excellent, a very strong variety Keeping quality—             outstanding post harvest shelf-life Winter hardiness— good             Wood ripening— good Wine quality— not applicable. -   Seeds:     -   -   General.—Presence of seeds— absent to very small rudimentary             (non-lignified) Seed color— Light green PMS 367 (not             lignified) Productivity— highly productive. -   Biotic stress susceptibility:     -   -   Susceptibility.—Susceptibility to powdery mildew (Uncinula             necator)— normal Susceptibility to downy mildew (Plasmopara             viticola)— normal Susceptibility to crown gall             (Agrobacteriutumefaciens)— normal. Susceptibility to noble             rot (Botrytis cinerea)— resistant Susceptibility to             anthracnose (Elsinoe ampelina)— normal Susceptibility to             dieback (Eutypa lata)— normal Susceptibility to cane and             leaf spot (Phomopsis viticola)— normal. -   Secondary bunches: Small secondary bunches were observed at     approximately 1 secondary bunch per 3 shoots.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

Characteristics Red Globe Flame Seedless Tawny Seedless Plant Vigour Average Strong Very strong Fertility Average Fertile Very fertile Time of harvest Mid season Early Early - mid season Resistance to rain Good Sensitive Very resistant Seedlessness Seeded Seedless Seedless Bunch size Very large Average Very large Bunch shape Loose/straggly Slightly compact Loose/straggly Eveness of berry size Even slightly uneven very even Berry size (natural) 24 mm 16 mm 18 mm Berry attachment Good Some shatter Very good Crispiness Soft flesh Crispy flesh Very crispy flesh Post-harvest shelf life Good Poor Excellent 

1. A new and distinct variety of grape plant named ‘Tawny Seedless,’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 